Ivan Díaz
I was born in Caracas Venezuela, August 22 1966. I studied privately with Gustavo Calle for a couple of years and he gave me a solid foundation about drums and drumming. Then I had the chance to go to the Drummer´s Collective in New York City where I studied with Frank Malabe, Bob Weiner, Kim Planfield, Duduka Da Fonseca and Mike Clark among others, and in the form of "Private Master Classes" with Dave Weckl, Dennis Chambers, Omar Hakim, Steve Smith, Robbie Ameen, Gary Chaffee, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd, J.R. Robinson and Gregg Bissonette.
Back in Venezuela I started to work profesionally and did different live gigs and studio dates with people like Benito Gonzáles, Juan Sebastian Bar, Pablo Milanés, Carlos Mata, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Franco D'Vita, Fernando Carrillo, Soledad Bravo, Jesús Enrique " Divine", Servando Y Florentino, Maria Rivas, Marisela Leal, Urbanda, Son Collage, Kiara, Luz Marina, Adrenalina Caribe, Yordano, Mirla Castellanos, Mirtha Pérez, Elba Escobar, Neida Perdomo, Evio Di Marzo, Alicia Plaza, Antonieta, Mirna Ríos, Floria Márquez, Estelita Del Llano, Ricardo Montaner, Sergio Pérez, Renny Y René, Carlos Montilla, Trino Mora, Oliver, Tony Meléndez ( a christian singer/sonwriter that was born without arms, and he plays the guitar) Colé Colé ( Cuba), Alfredo Naranjo, Biella D'Costa, Casablanca, Martes 8:30, Víctor Cuica, Julio Mendoza, Rodolfo Reyes, Nelson Arrieta ( Guaco), Tania, Ana Valencia, Sandino, Fusión IV, Félix Valentino, Mulato, Ilan Chester, Frank Quintero, Brenda Figallo, Wendy, Yoyo Montaner, Angie y Elisa Rego.
In 2000 I moved to Spain where I had the chance to work with: Juan Carlos Calderón, José Mercé, Manolo Tena, Navajita Plateá, Bertín Osborne, Carlos Baute, Las Hijas el Sol, Abigail, Víctor Monge " Serranito", Metrópolis VI, Los Muffis, Betty Crown´s Quartet, In/Out, Zona De Tolerancia, Ataque Ninja, Zambura Latin Jazz, Grupo Mango, Javier Massó " Caramelo", Mabeybe Jazz Trío, Natalia Farrán, Rafa Tena, Mano De Santo, Xino Carrasco, Barbería, Julio Fowler, Habana Abierta, Ariel Cubría, 5 Tristes Tigres, Davinia, Natalia, Nico, Camerata Romeu ( Cuba), Federico De Linos, BNK ( Cuba), Merche, Mayte Leyva, Guadalquivir, Rocío Díaz, Álex ( O.T.), Las Melli ( Cuba), Javier Tapia, Rafa Tena, J.J. Band, Jam Session de El Junco, Maria Isabel, Yoio Cuesta, La Colonial´s Jam Session & Latin Jazz Band, Julio Iglesias Jr., Prisca Dávila ( Venezuela), Carlos Talez, Patricia Del Olmo Muñoz, Bar C&O Jam Session, Jorge Luis Chacín, Conceptango, Soul Brothers, Metropop, Orquesta Santiago, Manu Tenorio, Tamara, Tina Turner Tribute Band, Iguana Tango, Oktoberfest, Emilio Ibáñez, Zani & Tribu Novo, Etiqueta Negra, Soulstation, David Moreira, Chuma Segura Power Trío, Metro Big Band and the San Patricio Big Band among others.
In 2017 I moved to New York city where I´ve been working on a solo project I recorded at Systems Two in Brooklyn, with Benito Gonzales (piano), Corcoran Holt (bass) and Myron Walden (sax). Benito and Corcoran have been a part of Kenny Garret´s group for many years now, and Myron is currently working with Brian Blade´s Fellowship Band. I´ve recorded all original tunes except Benito´s arrangement of Herbie Hancock´s Maiden Voyage.
I also have a side project playing piano, a duo with my wife. We´ve done different gigs in Cruise Ship companies, 5 star hotels and beach resorts.
Benito Gonzalez - Piano
After almost seven years of touring with Kenny Garrett, Benito has added numerous festivals and international jazz club dates to his credit. He has also shared the stage with Curtis Fuller, Pharaoh Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Christian McBride, Ignacio Berroa, Roy Hargrove, Rene McLean, Steve Turre, Hamiet Bluiett, Antonio Sanchez, T.K. Blue, Nicholas Payton, Azar Lawrence, and Jackie McLean.
Corcoran Holt - Acoustic Bass
Corcoran leads his own group and is the regular bassist in the Kenny Garrett Quintet, which received a Grammy nomination for the 2013 recording “Pushing the World Away,” recorded on Mac Avenue Records.
Myron Walden - Saxophones
Myron Walden is a saxophonist beyond category. The same can be said about the music he plays. Three current releases conjure Miles Davis, reflect his innermost feelings of love and jump with countryfied vigor. Look up the word eclectic in the dictionary, and you´ll find a photo of Myron Walden.